A former Baltimore County employee alleged she was fired after interrupting an “awkward scene” of an “illicit relationship” between two top officials in a county office, according to a federal lawsuit filed Thursday.
Miriam Grice, 55, was fired from her job effective Thursday after catching County Administrative Officer Fred Homan ? the county?s highest-ranking nonelected employee ? in an “inopportune encounter” with Assistant County Attorney Suzanne Berger after work hours, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
Grice said she complained to County Executive Jim Smith to no avail. She is seeking her job back and $1 million in damages for the mental anguish associated with a series of events beginning in 1999, said her lawyer, Kathleen Cahill.
“This is not someone who is rumor-mongering or gossiping, but a stickler for compliance,” Cahill said. “She did what she was supposed to do.”
Grice managed workers? compensation claims in 1999 when a subordinate reported a romantic relationship between an office secretary and a supervisor, now deceased and named in the lawsuit only as John Doe.
Grice took that report to Homan, who threatened to terminate her, according to the lawsuit.
In April 2005, Grice accidentally interrupted Homan and Berger in Berger?s office after hours, Cahill said. Six months later, a panel consisting of Doe, Homan and Berger chose a less-qualified, external candidate to replace Grice, who was demoted, twice suspended and ultimately fired two weeks ago, the lawsuit said.
County officials dismissed the claims and declined to make Homan and Berger available for comment. Citing personnel privacy laws, county spokeswoman Ellen Kobler said she could not say why Grice was fired.
“These are old charges by a disgruntled ex-employee,” Kobler said. “Nothing more, nothing less.”
Kobler said it has not been determined whether county lawyers will defend Homan and Berger. County officials earlier this week praised Homan, the county?s longtime budget and finance director who also took over as administrative officer in November. Legislators are scheduled to approve Homan?s first four-year appointment as administrative officer? and a 23 percent salary increase ? Monday.
If approved, Homan?s $190,000 salary will become the county?s second highest behind Jim Johnson, newly appointed police chief, who will earn $195,000 in 2008.
County officials knew about the charges since Grice filed a discrimination and retaliation complaint with the Equal Opportunity Commission 15 months ago, Cahill said.
The commission has yet to issue a finding, Cahill said.
THE LAWSUIT ALLEGATIONS
» 1999: Miriam Grice reports a possible romantic relationship between John Doe and an office secretary to Fred Homan. Homan allegedly threatens her job.
» April 2005: Grice interrupts Homan and Suzanne Berger in “awkward scene” after work hours in Berger?s office.
» October 2005: Selection panel consisting of Doe, Homan and Berger chose a less-qualified, external candidate to replace Grice, who takes pay cut.
» March 2006: Grice complains to County Executive Jim Smith.
» August 2006: Grice files discrimination charge with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
» January 2007: Homan suspends Grice
» February 2007: Grice amends discrimination charge to include retaliation.
» June 2007: Homan calls Grice to a meeting to suspend her. Grice insists her attorney be present and is fired for insubordination.
Source: Grice?s lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Baltimore
